Loss to Michigan could be costly to Northwestern

There was a different feel in and around Welsh-Ryan Arena on Tuesday night.

Traffic was a little heavier, gaits to the gates a little quicker. Inside, the band was a little louder and the student sections a little more rowdy — if that's even possible.

Just more than two hours later, however, it was the complete opposite as most in the full house filed out quietly, many with heads down following Northwestern's thrilling, but potentially crushing 67-55 overtime loss to Michigan.

Thrilling because in the biggest game in school history against a red-hot No. 11 Michigan squad, the Wildcats took it to the wire — the second time they've done so against the Wolverines this season.

Potentially crushing, though, because of what a victory over a ranked team like Michigan would have done for Northwestern's postseason resume.

“If we would've won this game tonight it would've been a really good win because they're a ranked team,” Northwestern coach Bill Carmody said. “(The loss) doesn't assure you of everything, but it also doesn't knock you out of the box.”

But it sure does make the road to the tournament a lot choppier.

Suddenly, upcoming road games against Penn State and Iowa have become must wins. The Cats' only remaining home opponent is a doozy: Ohio State next Wednesday.

“I think we'll be fine,” said Reggie Hearn, who finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. “This was a tough loss. We had a chance to get a resume-building win … but we didn't get it.

“We definitely still have a lot to play for.”

Despite so much to play for Tuesday, Northwestern got off to a bit of a ragged start, falling behind 10-3.

“I know we looked a little slow out there,” said Davide Curletti, who finished with a dozen points.

Perhaps a little case of the jitters? “It's possible,” Carmody admitted.

“There was more excitement than anxiety,” Hearn said. “We came out with a great desire to win.”

And they came oh so close but just couldn't close the deal in the second half. Without the services of Drew Crawford down the stretch because of a leg injury, and behind some occasionally sloppy play, the Wildcats allowed the Wolverines to claw their way back.

“In the second half we got worn out,” Carmody said. “We had 14 turnovers tonight. Those are possessions you can't get back. It's just not acceptable.”

In overtime, Michigan provided the dagger early with 3 consecutive 3-pointers by Trey Burke, Zack Novak and Stu Douglass to open a 58-49 lead.

“All of a sudden in OT it's like 1-2-3,” Michigan coach John Beilein said.